Party Conventions to Be Advanced

As the results of the April 9 general elections create a new political landscape, the ruling and opposition parties are renewing their works. Some parties are considering advancing their party conventions in order to reorganize their leadership.

It is urgent for the ruling Grand National Party and the main opposition United Democratic Party to organize their leadership through party conventions. Certainly, they have lost momentum in the general elections since several party leaders, including representatives, neither ran for the election nor got elected.

The GNP faces an effective power vacuum since GNP Chairman Kang Jae-seop did not run for the election and supreme council members Jeong Hyeong-geun and Kim Hak-won, secretary-general Lee Bang-ho and vice secretary-general Jeong Jong-bok failed to be nominated or has become unsuccessful candidates. As secretary-general Lee announced his resolution to resign Thursday, the GNP is expected to reorganize its hierarchy.

Since lots of UDP leaders, including Chairman Sohn Hak-kyu, former Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, Yu In-tae, Han Myeong-suk, Jang Yeong-dal lost the election, the UDP is likely to face party reshuffle.

In his interview with the Dong-A Ilbo at his office in the GNP headquarters, GNP Chairman Kang hinted at the possibility of holding the party convention in May, saying, “My term of office will expire on July 10. However, it is absurd to hold the party convention in June after installing a new National Assembly. Taking several factors into consideration, we’ll set up a new date for the party convention.”

He added, “While working as the chairman of the GNP, I have successfully dealt with the nomination race, presidential election and general elections. Since I’ve finished my duties, I don’t want to take more responsibilities.”

The GNP’s supreme council member Chung Mong-joon has already announced that he would run for the leadership of the party. Some even argue that former GNP Chairwoman Park Geun-hye will try to take the party leadership again. It is noteworthy to see what choice representatives close to President Lee Myung-bak will make when Lee Jae-oh lost the election.

Regarding the issue of embracing pro-Park Geun-hye representatives and independent representatives, and merging with other political parties, Kang said, “It will be good for the GNP to embrace everyone. However, it is against public sentiment reflected in the general elections. We need to consider the issue from a long-term perspective.”

UDP Chairman Sohn held a press conference at the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo Thursday and expressed his will to reorganize the party, saying, “The United Democratic Party was hurriedly constructed just before the presidential election and the UDP was also hastily built just before the general elections. They have been run as if they were makeshift buildings. Now, we need to straighten the party out.”

The UDP was scheduled to hold its party convention within three months of the general elections. However, the party is expected to advance its party convention significantly.

UDP’s Sohn said, “I will not run for the leadership of the party.” Policy coordinator Choi In-ki, supreme council member Kang Geum-sil, former Uri Party Chairman Jeong Se-gyun, UDP Floor Leader Kim Hyo-seok, former representative Chu Mi-ae, representative Won Hye-yeong, and UDP Co-chairman Park Sang-cheon are possible candidates for the UDP chair.

UDP members strongly argue, “The biggest opposition force against the ruling party is not the UDP, but is now former GNP Chairwoman Park Geun-hye. We need a new leadership which can clarify the identity and political lines of the party.”

jkmas@donga.com